French Prime Minister M Raffarin to visit India

French Prime Minister Jean Pierre-Raffarin will undertake a three-day visit to India from February 6 to for strengthening bilateral relations with a special focus on enhancing economic ties.

Raffarin, who is leading a high-power delegation, including four key ministers and a large business team, will arrive in Bangalore on Thursday and participate in the Aero-India show.

He will also have an interactive session with the Confederation of Indian Industry and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

On Friday, Raffarin will call on the President, the Vice-President and hold wide-ranging discussions with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on bilateral relations.

He will also exchange views on the Iraq crisis, Afghanistan, Middle East developments and other regional and international issues of importance.

He will be accompanied by Finance, Economy and Industry Minister Francis MER, Transport and Housing Minister Gilles de Robien, Science and Technology Minister Claudie Haignere and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Renault Muselier.